Netanyahu Accused of Knowingly Funding Hamas Military Wing

A report in Yediot Ahronot's "7 Days" magazine alleges that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was repeatedly warned from 2019 onwards that Qatari funds were flowing to Hamas's military wing. These warnings reportedly came from Israel's Shin Bet security agency, military intelligence (Aman), and Egyptian sources. The investigation claims that beyond diverting funds intended for humanitarian aid, a secret direct funding channel from Qatar to Hamas was active. These funds, allegedly with Netanyahu's knowledge, financed about half of Hamas's military budget, and the Prime Minister is accused of ignoring this for years.

Avigdor Lieberman, leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, stated that he resigned as Defense Minister after Netanyahu decided to allow Qatari money into Hamas, warning it would lead to disaster. He reiterated that intelligence agencies warned Netanyahu about the funds reaching the military wing, asserting that Netanyahu knew and deliberately continued transferring millions to "terrorists." Lieberman blamed Netanyahu for the October 7th attacks, stating Israeli citizens paid the price, and vowed to establish a state commission of inquiry in the next government.

Yair Golan, leader of the Democratic Party, echoed these sentiments, claiming that any state inquiry would conclude Netanyahu "served as Hamas's financier" and persisted with this policy despite knowing it endangered Israeli lives. Golan asserted that Netanyahu knew the funds went directly to Hamas's military wing, citing explicit reports from Israeli intelligence and Egyptian officials. He argued this funding enabled Hamas's military capabilities, including tunnels and weapons, and directly led to the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of 251 others on October 7th.

Other lawmakers from the Democratic Party also sharply criticized Netanyahu. Gilad Kariv called him a "criminal," and Naama Lazimi suggested he would omit his role in the events leading to the "near annihilation" of Israel. The Prime Minister's Office responded by calling the report a "collection of recycled lies" aimed at misleading the public before elections. They stated that all security chiefs supported the Qatari grants, believing they were for civilian needs and would maintain quiet in Gaza. The PMO added that Netanyahu ordered the halt of Qatari grants at the start of Operation Guardian of the Walls, and the subsequent Bennett-Lapid government reinstated them. They also claimed Netanyahu consistently supported offensive actions in Gaza and never restricted the security establishment.